The women walk in from the cold to swap hugs and share hellos. We place Christmas treats on the counters and presents under the tree. Before we officially begin the evening, we pause to pray. And my beautiful friend Kelli includes these words, "God, please receive the joyful praises of our laughter."

Those words ring in my ears like sweet bells all night as I listen to giggles, chuckles and outright fits of giddiness. These women, the Apples group at my church, know how to have a good time. And as I reflect on it later I realize that, yes, their laughter sure sounded a lot like praise.

If you have just discovered the Holiday Difference, we want you to know that it's an honor to share the Christmas season with you! We hope you'll make yourself at home, and enjoy our unique blend of Christmas favorites... with some songs and artists you might even be discovering for the first time.

The other day, our CEO Chuck Hyde challenged me when he stated, "Busyness with a 'y' is very different than "business" with an 'I.'" He asked our team: "Are you busy, or are you doing our business?"

I immediately thought of the familiar story in Luke 10 of Mary and Martha. Jesus visits Martha's house. Martha has a sister named Mary. Luke states that, "Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving." So Martha goes straight up to Jesus and says, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answers her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Thanksgiving is unique among holidays. It is not a religious holiday in quite the same sense as Easter and Christmas. But we render the day meaningless if we fail to give thanks to God for all our blessings.

Neither is the day like Independence Day in marking the founding of our nation. Rather it marks the day of the founding of a spirit that is special to America—that of a spirit of gratitude.

You don’t have to search very hard to realize that delegation is not only a skill, but it is a quality identified with most great leaders. Perhaps it’s because at the root of delegation is trust. In passing off a task, a project, or a vision you’re demonstrating that you trust others to take appropriate actions. Refusing to delegate is harmful to you as a leader in any sphere, work or home, because it will stretch you too thin.

"How's grandma doing?" I ask over the phone. It's been a few months since her fall, and it's been a slow road to recovery. She was grateful to be able to stay with my parents for a few weeks, but she was ready to be back in her familiar space. The only problem was, when she was one her own, she didn't really feel like cooking... or eating. And when she didn't eat, she didn't have any strength. So, before she returned home, her loving daughters said, "We want you to be able to be independent as long as you can. But here's the condition. You have to eat more."

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